Dr. Shelly Vijay, MD

Dr. Shelly Vijay has always believed a patient who is empowered to be involved in his or her care is the best patient. "The doctor-patient relationship needs to be patient- focused, and needs to be based on mutual respect and trust," she says. "Physicians need to see the world through the patients eyes so they can provide the best care possible." Dr. Vijay became a member of our dedicated team of cancer treatment providers at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center in August 2011. She says she immediately was impressed with the integrated, holistic approach to treatment at CTCA, our Patient Empowered Care(r) model. As a hospitalist, Dr. Vijay takes on the role of a primary care physician for patients who are hospitalized during treatment at CTCA. She helps coordinate inpatients general care and sees that their medical needs are continually met. Dr. Vijay earned a degree in medicine and surgery from Indira Gandhi Medical College in Nagpur, …India. She completed an internal medicine residency at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital in Forest Hills, New York. She is a member of the American College of Physicians and the Society of General Internal Medicine. She is certified by American Board of Internal Medicine."I am very fascinated by diversity and respect different cultures," she says. "I speak Hindi and Punjabi [two Indian languages] English. I am very compassionate towards my patients and would not hesitate to go an extra mile to help them." Dr. Vijay decided to become a doctor early in life. "I always felt moved by peoples sufferings and decided to choose a career that would make a difference in the lives of people," she notes. Family is very important to Dr. Vijay. She enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughter. She also enjoys outdoor activities, including biking, hiking and playing tennis, as well as cooking.